Adaptive Direct Transaction For Network Client Group

ABSTRACT

Internet-based software and associated database provide group analysis overlay to monitor client-server web traffic and provide direct marketing to client group. Client car, patient, office or school sensor and interface provides overlay attribute for database comparison to classify usage pattern, location, timing, or family for targeted messaging for enhanced service from server source. Database group registry tracks client classification and provides adaptive context mapping according to set attribute relative to targeted on-line transaction.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation application of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 09/145,167 originally filed on Sep. 1, 1998.

FIELD OF INVENTION

Invention relates to networked computer applications, particularly todistributed client-server software for adaptive direct grouptransaction.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

With the explosive growth of the Internet and its associated World-WideWeb, various computer programs have been developed for distributedapplications between client and server processors interconnected throughlocal and/or wide area networks. In particular, web-based software areprovided variously for promoting, managing or otherwise transactingbusiness on-line. Thus, such electronic commerce applications areprovided to facilitate more efficient marketing and distribution ofgoods and services. However, prior-art approaches at facilitatingon-line commerce are limited, particularly with respect to enablingdirect marketing, especially for multiple targets or client groups.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

Invention resides in software for directing on-line messages toclassified client set adaptively according to monitored setcharacteristics. Memory stores set data associated with historicallystored, currently measured, or preferred network configuration, on-linetraffic, location, schedule, or affiliation. Clients are classified intosets per criteria for contextual mapping of particular sets tocorresponding targeted on-line messages. Client sensor interfaceprovides mobile location, medical condition, or other attribute foradaptive classification of client into sets by comparing attribute toset groupings. Updated client classification provides adaptive contextmapping of sets to directed transactions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is general block diagram for network system implementing presentinvention.

FIG. 2 is logic flow diagram of operational methodology for implementingpresent invention.

FIG. 3 is database diagram according to present invention.

FIG. 4 is block diagram of client interface according to presentinvention.

FIG. 5 is flow chart of operational steps for group analysis overlayaccording to present invention.

FIG. 6 is flow chart of operational steps for network download dynamicdisplay according to present invention.

FIG. 7 is flow chart of operational steps for directed offeringtransaction according to present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 block diagram shows network system 4 having one or more serverprocessors or nodes 2 and one or more client processors or nodes 10, 20,30, coupled thereto preferably according to standard Internet Protocolor other conventional digital networking and data communications scheme,which publicly available specifications are hereby referenced, asappropriate.

Preferably, client 10 represents network interface for vehicular orother mobile processing application, client 20 represents networkinterface for medical or other personal processing application, andclient 30 represents network interface for appliance or other embeddedprocessing application.

It is contemplated herein that network 4 may be embodied in conventionaland/or proprietary, wired and/or wireless, hardware and/or software,integrated and/or modular means for sending and receiving digital dataand/or electronic signals between processors, nodes or other addressablenetwork sites coupled thereto. Moreover, it is contemplated that serveror client processing functionality may be embodied in one or moreprocessing machines or devices, and a single processing machine ordevice may perform functionality of multiple server and/or clientprocessors.

FIG. 2 flow chart shows process for network configuration and resourcecontrol 40, client interface and secure access 50, operationalprocessing and sensing 60, network download and dynamic display 70,group analysis overlay 80, directed offering and transaction 90, anddatabase access 100.

In accordance with present invention, network 4, including server(s) 2and client(s) 10, 20, 30 employ software and/or other functionallyequivalent firmware, hardware, or electronics for directing or targetingon-line messages or electronic signals to selected or classified clientset or group adaptively or dynamically according to monitored orspecified set characteristics or attributes. Preferably, such softwarefunctionality is implemented using embedded or real-time operating(RTOS) code convention, JAVA, C/C++, Windows/CE, or other equivalentdigital signal processing instruction scheme, according to operationaldefinition described herein.

Such software or functionality may use or cooperate for read/writeoperations with one or more digital memory or functionally equivalentnetwork-accessible electronic storage to store data or attribute signalsabout one or more client 10, 20, 30 associated with previously stored,currently measured, or preferred network or node configuration, on-linenetwork traffic, actual location, schedule events, or subscribed orqualified affiliation.

Preferably, clients 10, 20, 30 are classified into or otherwiseassociated with sets, super-sets, sub-sets, groups, super-groups,sub-groups, or other hierarchical category according to pre-specified ordynamically defined criteria for qualification therein. Particular setor sets may be logically mapped, assigned contextually or otherwiserelated to one or more corresponding targeted on-line message orelectronic network signals, as described herein. In particular, clientsensor interface may provide various monitored still images, live video,audio, states, data or attribute signals representative thereof, such asmobile location, medical condition, or other detectable attribute foradaptive or responsive classification of subject client into set(s) bycomparing attribute and classifying appropriately into set groupings.For example, sensor may include one or more keyboard, screen or mouseentry, microphone, digital imaging or video camera, or position locatoror navigational electronics, such as Global Positioning Satellite system(GPS) receiver functionality to provide certain dimensional and temporal(i.e., time and place) signals and values.

Additionally, client interface user interface is preferably implementedas dial-up or dedicated network connection web browser software, whichprovides secured access according to authenticated and/or encrypted useridentification or messages. Optionally, user identification may beachieved by client interface determination of unique user physical orbiological characteristic, such as sensor-sampled or input-verifiedpersonal genetic sequence.

Moreover, updated or modified client classifications effectively provideadaptive or dynamic context mapping of sets to directed transactions,messages, or signals representative thereof. For example, directedmessage, transaction or network signal may include commercial offering,application program, still image, or video stream.

Hence, during software operation of preferred implementation, one ormore client attribute or signal is determined or generated initially, sothat subject client may be classified in a set according to subjectattribute (i.e., currently monitored or generated attribute signal);then, a message or transaction signal representative thereof is sent toclients classified in that set. Generally, subject attribute orgenerated signal may represent one or more monitored signals, data, orvalues, such as client location, elapsed or actual time, client or userentry selection, physical, mechanical, medical or other objectivecondition, as well as any affiliation or subscription associated withsubject client.

More particularly, subject attribute value or signal may be provided byone or more client sensor, wherein such attribute is provided in digitalmemory or functionally equivalent electronic storage. Client may beclassified by comparing the attribute with another attribute stored inmemory to determine equivalence or non-equivalence, such that client isclassified or not classified in the set, for example, according topre-determined substantial similarity determined therebetween.

Additionally, a second attribute of the client may be determined,wherein the client then may be classified in another or same setaccording to the second attribute. Another or same message ortransaction signal may be sent to one or more clients classified in thesecond set. Moreover, a second attribute may be determined for anotherclient, wherein such other client is classified in the second setaccording to the second attribute, and a second message or transactionsignal is thereby sent to clients classified in the second set.

FIG. 3 diagram represents database 100 of base server(s) 102, userclient(s) 104, traffic operations 106, and group registry 108, which areone or more separately or collectively stored or accessibleobject-oriented and/or relational information modules or othernetworking or processing system cache or repositories, value or signalsrepresentative of functional activity associated respectively with oneor more servers 2, client interfaces 10, 20 30, network 4 communicationsand configurations, and client set groupings, as described herein.

In particular, base server data module 102 includeselectronically-accessible expert, service catalog, knowledge library, orother on-line or user self-service resource pool; andnetwork-downloadable text, audio, still images, video clips or streams;or any update or revision thereof. User client or sensor site module 104includes network client or server connection and configuration; clientand/or group identifier or reference indicator; network usage ortransaction history or pattern; monitored or sensed client attributes(e.g., time, location, temperature, available resources, etc.); clientsensor configuration, status and condition, or client specified orinferred preferences.

Traffic operations or network manager module 106 includes client orsensor sites set-up sequence, configuration or log; security orauthentication sequence, configuration or log; data transfer or signaltransmission download or communication sequence, configuration or log;offering transaction sequence, configuration or log; and networkoperation or performance monitor or log. Client or user group or setregistry module 108 includes group or set search interface sequence,configuration or log; user or client attribute tracking or monitoring;group or set classifications or criteria; or context mapping or otherdirected message association.

FIG. 4 diagram shows client or site interface 10, 20, 30, includinginterface; coupling or application, controller or embedded processor;storage, cache or memory; and one or more network-accessible sensors.Such included client functionality may be provided in one or moreintegrated, programmable, reconfigurable, electronic devices, circuit,firmware, software and/or other equivalent implementation. Preferablycontroller 14 is implemented as programmed embedded digital signalprocessor, microprocessor, or reduced instruction set computing (RISC)microcontroller, such as commercial parts: 43001 from NEC Electronics(Santa Clara, Calif.), 4640/4650 from Integrated Device Technology(Santa Clara, Calif.), RS000/R8000/10000 from MIPS Technology (MountainView, Calif.), PPC603/604 from IBM Microelectronics (Hopewell Junction,N.Y.) and Motorola (Austin, Tex.), 486DX4/486DX5 from Advanced MicroDevices (Austin, Tex.), PentiumPro/PentiumII from Intel (Chandler,Ariz.), UltraSPARC II/III from Sun Microsystems (Mountain View, Calif.),or Alpha 21164/21264 from Digital Equipment (Maynard, Mass.).

Generally, present embodiment may be implemented and/or performed usingany digital local or wide-area network 4 wherein one or more addressablenodes (i.e., client and/or server) are coupled thereto for communicationor transmission of packets, cells, frames, signals, or other electronicmessages therebetween. Preferred network uses so-called Internetconvention and World-Wide Web networking protocol for sending files, forexample, according to specified formats, such as hypertext file transferprotocol (HTTP), universal resource locator (URL), hypertext markuplanguage (HTML), extensible markup language (XML), transmission controlprotocol/Internet protocol (TCP/IP), etc. Thus, in this networkarrangement, one or more servers and/or clients may remotely or locallyaccess one or more servers coupled directly or indirectly thereto.

Initially, for functional operation of present embodiment, one or moreclient interface 10, 20, 30 is coupled to network 4, and such network isconfigured 40 wherein one or more informational expertise or data signalresources, such as provided centrally or distributedly by one or moremodules 102, 104, 106, 108 in database 100.

For example, during or after initial set-up, resource pool in baseserver 102 may specify one or more expertise repositories or catalogswhich may provide client-requested or downloadable text, audio, video,or other digital data. Moreover, during or after initial set-up, userclient database 104 may be updated to indicate network connectivity andconfiguration between any servers and/or clients coupled thereto, aswell as connectivity and configuration of any sensor or equivalentdevices associated with one or more such clients. Furthermore, during orafter initial set-up, user client database 104 may indicate one or moreuser-preferred network configuration, transaction selection, orsensor-related attribute. Additionally, during or after initial set-up,traffic operations module 106 may indicate client setup, networkconfiguration, and security access parameters. In addition, during orafter initial set-up, group registry module 108 may indicate clienttracking state and client classification or grouping.

Preferably, one or more client interfaces 10, 20, 30 are configured andcoupled in accordance with secure access channel and protocol 50 tonetwork 4 to provide selectable access to one or more sensor 18associated with particular client. Depending on client interface type,application or specific embodiment, for example, client interface 10 mayserve as network interface for non-fixed pedestrian, vehicular or othermoving processing site; client interface 20 may serve as networkinterface for personal, patient, medical or other tele-medicinecomputing or communications environment; or client interface 30 mayserve as network interface for multimedia equipment, residentialappliance, office processing equipment, or other embedded controller orlocal processing application.

Hence, when client-server network is configured 40 for controllingexpert resource or database access, and various client interface andsensors are coupled and accessible securely 50 thereto, then one or moreapplications programs may execute, preferably according to client andcorresponding sensor implementation type, according to present inventionto enable effectively adaptive direct transaction or messaging for oneor more networked client group.

Sensor input signals from one or more client sites may be receivedcontinuously, scheduled at regular times, triggered by specified alarmsor conditions, selectably activated by client or server, or adaptivelyor proportionately increased or decreased in sensing activity accordingto pre-specified or associated attributes, current related activity, orspecified or monitored client group or set conditions or monitoredactivity.

In embodiment case of vehicle client interface 10, operationalprocessing and sensing uses one or more microprocessor or embeddedcontroller 14 electronically to monitor, diagnose and/or control datasignals, alarm or out-of-specified range condition, pre-specifiedstates, or other objectively detectable or attributes. Preferably, suchsensed signal monitoring process is achieved using one or more local orembedded processing programs or applications provided in storage 16executable by controller 14 for real-time access of one or more sensorsor other signal feedback detector coupled thereto, such as temperature,pressure, accelerometer or movement sensors, (such as commercialintegrated silicon or micromachined parts: AD741X and AD781X temperaturesensors from Analog Devices (Norwood, Mass.), LM80, LM56, LM75 thermalsensors from National Semiconductor (Santa Clara, Calif.), XTR106pressure sensors from Burr-Brown (Tucson, Ariz.),MPX10/50/100/2010/210d0/2700/5010/5006/5100/5700 pressure sensors fromMotorola (Phoenix, Ariz.), or 7257AT accelerometer sensor from Endevco(San Juan Capistrano, Calif.), 40PC/4000PC pressure sensor fromHoneywell (Freeport, Ill.), 19(C,U)005G pressure sensor from Sensym(Milpitas, Calif.), Titan pressure sensor from Lucas Control Systems(Hampton, Va.), DMU Turbo accelerometer sensor from Crossbow Technology(San Jose, Calif.), or MAP1452/XKP1260 pressure transducers fromIntegrated Sensor Solutions (San Jose, Calif.)).

It is contemplated that such client sensors 18 may be implemented inautomotive, trucking or other terrestrial, airborne and/or marinetransport systems or subsystems, such as mechanical (e.g., internalcombustion engine timing, mechanical linkage stress or strain,transmission, and related drive train monitor, vehicle braking or brakeanti-locking, fuel delivery and storage, passenger restraint, emergencycondition, seatbelt securement or airbag deployment, or impactdetection, diagnosis and/or control thereof), and/or electrical (e.g.,engine ignition, lighting, thermal cooling/heating, entertainment,communication, dispatching, or navigational appliance or device, and/orother electronic module monitor, diagnosis and/or control thereof), etc.

In embodiment case of personal or patient client interface 20,operational processing and sensing uses one or more microprocessor orembedded controller 14 electronically to monitor, diagnose and/orcontrol data signals, alarm or out-of-specified range condition,pre-specified states, or other objectively detectable or attributesthrough one or more sensors or other signal feedback detector, asdescribed herein. Preferably, such sensed signal monitoring process isachieved using one or more local or embedded processing programs orapplications provided in storage 16 and executable by controller 14 forreal-time access of one or more sensors or other signal feedbackdetector coupled thereto.

It is contemplated that such client sensors 18 may be implemented inremote clinical, biometric, ambulatory medical, consultation, monitoringor communications systems or subsystems, particularly record-forwarding,patient-communication and observation, patient vital measurements,radiograph and other diagnostic image-transmission, for variousspecialties, such as radiology, dental, cardiorespiratory,constitutional, dermatology, ear-nose-throat, gastrointestinal,genitourinary, gynecological, musculoskeletal, neuropsychiatric, etc.

Optionally, sensors 18 may serve to detect or identify client-providedor specified organic material, particularly by obtaining probed orreceiving analyzed input of one or more genetic sequence data ofdeoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) or protein of subject client, for example,for subsequent database alignment and/or comparison for similarity ormatching against known identifiable sequences.

In embodiment case of office, home or school appliance client interface30, operational processing and sensing uses one or more microprocessoror embedded controller 14 electronically to monitor, diagnose and/orcontrol data signals, alarm or out-of-specified range condition,pre-specified states, or other objectively detectable or attributesthrough one or more sensors or other signal feedback detector, asdescribed herein. Preferably, such sensed signal monitoring process isachieved using one or more local or embedded processing programs orapplications provided in storage 16 and executable by controller 14 forreal-time access of one or more sensors or other signal feedbackdetector coupled thereto.

It is contemplated that such client sensors 18 may be implemented foraccessing, communicating with, monitoring, and controlling operations inmultimedia entertainment, home or small office automation equipment,residential appliance devices, systems or subsystems, such as digitalvideo disk players or recorders, personal computers, printers, copiers,fax machines, digital television, set-top boxes, security monitoring andalarm, etc.

Preferably, such electronic sensor-implementing components employcontroller 14 processing code to interface to network 4 for sensor andinterface access, signaling and control according to communication orsignaling protocol, such as universal serial bus (USB), IEEE 1394 (i.e.,FireWire), or other similar comparable interface specification. Forexample, such preferred interface for client appliance interface 30complies with home audio/video interoperability (HAVI) architecture,which published specification is hereby incorporated by reference.

According to application program execution during operational processingand sensing 60, as described herein, client or user input and/or output(I/O) interface is provided, particularly to deliver signal or datadownload from network using dynamic display mechanism 70. Informationaldownload, such as text (e.g., ASCII or Word processor format), audio(e.g., Real Audio format), still image (e.g., joint picture expertsgroup (JPEG), 2 or 3 dimensional format), video (e.g., moving pictureexperts group (MPEG), or other catalog, expertise data pool, resourcefiles or electronic digital material, are accessed from database 100modules 102, 104, 106, 108. Optionally, such network client interfaceincludes web browser software, such as available commercially fromMicrosoft (e.g., Internet Explorer) or Netscape (e.g.,Communicator/Navigator).

FIG. 6 flow chart shows group download display embodiment, wherein oneor more servers initially setup to determine one or more clientsassociated with or belonging to specified sets or groups, therebyupdating database client grouping 104, database registry client tracking108, as well as any database traffic operation client setup and networkconfiguration 106.

In particular, such determining server(s) may create and maintaincurrent group or task manager, preferably as data table or systemprocess to identify and monitor communications with or other networkdownload to specified group members. Thus, based on initialclient-server parameter setup, as well as subsequent updates thereto,accessing such task manager may provide effectively real-timeorganization of multi-member grouping data, and facilitates relativelyfast informative response to authorized client or server query todetermine current group definitions and members actively categorizedtherein. Additionally, such task manager program may serve to balanceprocessing between group members, for example, such that directedmessages or other transaction offerings are delivered more frequently orearlier to less-busy or higher-processing capacity client sites, asindicated in current database 100.

Further, display downloading scheme 70 includes faster-memory caching 74of relatively larger data files, such as still image (e.g., .GIF, .JPG)and compressed video (e.g., MPG) files from database module downloadlibrary 102. In addition, display downloading may include feedbacksignaling or equivalent communication 76 from one or more subjectclients, which belong to common group client members, to provideaccelerated current group membership indication to like group members.In this feedback-loop manner, group members may relatively quickly bealerted and display appropriate membership or non-membership status.

Preferably, network download dynamic display operations 70 providesubject server or client relatively high-resolution, flat-panel screenoutput with interactive multi-media capability (i.e., text, audio, stillimage, video, 3-D graphic or virtual media format, etc.), for example,using personal computer equipment or engineering workstation withprocessing encoded and compressed media signals, or interactive digitaltelevision having network-ready Internet or equivalent communicationsinterface and applications protocol. Optionally, particular client mayselect to screen, block, filter or exclude from receiving one or moreclasses or attributes of incoming directed messages, such as undesirablecommercial or immoral content.

FIG. 5 flow chart shows operational steps for group analysis or systemoverlay thereof, according to important aspect of present invention,generally wherein Internet-based client interface 10, 20, 30 andassociated database 100 effectively provide group analysis processing tomonitor client-server web traffic and deliver direct marketing servicesto client group. As per alternative instances described herein, clientcar, patient, office or school sensors and interfaces provide attributeprocessing system overlay for database comparison to classify usagepattern, location, timing, or family for targeted messaging for enhancedservice from server source. Database 100 group registry tracks clientclassification and provides adaptive context mapping according to setattribute relative to targeted on-line transaction.

Generally, group analysis 80 may be invoked automatically upon scheduleor per directed request, thereby operating to determine groupings bycomparing sensed 60 operational values with associated values stored indatabase 100. When group analysis 80 and subsequent directed offeringtransaction operations 90 are so invoked, for example, by network clientor server with proper requesting authorization, preferably, one or morecandidate client sites 10, 20, 30 are identified accordingly forclassification. For example, in case of vehicle client interface 10, oneor more clients having certain sensed or specified characteristics orother attributes, such as having certain serial or model numbers,tracked geographic location, etc., may be designated as candidate siteswhen considered for possible vehicle or product defect, repair, upgrade,or recall.

Initially, to perform proper group analysis, subject server 2 (or othernetwork processor with access to database 100 and one or more candidateclients for present comparison) examines database 100, which may beimplemented in one or more network-accessible data repositories, todetermine 82 existence of any specified supergroups, groups, subgroups,in present network, and particularly search database modules 104, 108recognize any such grouping which includes client to be evaluated formembership. Moreover, such subject server 2 may further search suchdatabase modules 104, 108 to determine and monitor existence of any oreach sensor and characteristics thereof associated with each subjectclient for evaluation.

Then, database compare and set classify operations 84 are performed bysubject server 2, whereby representative attributes or other sensedcharacteristics of candidate client(s) are logically compared toequivalent data field representations of other pre-registered or trackedclients in database 100 to determine matching or recognize substantialqualification for set groupings or non-groupings. Group registry 108provides functional or graphical interface for searching fields forclient and sensor attributes.

For example, in case of patient client interface 20, candidate patientsensed or specified attributes, such as geographical location,demographic family, race or ethnicity, medical insurance coverage, age,sex, etc. may be compared against other clients to generate certaingroupings for subsequent targeted messaging or commercial offerings.Similarly, in case of appliance client interface 30, candidate appliancesensed or specified attributes, such as appliance model number,multimedia play-back capacity, entertainment preferences, usage pattern,budget allowance, schedule availability, etc. may be compared againstother client to generate certain groupings. Upon candidate groupingclassification, database 100 modules 104, 108 may be updated to reflectclient membership accordingly.

Optionally, to provide network system client grouping scalability, whencandidate client is determined not to be classifiable as analyzed,subject server 2 may modify group registry 108 to define set changes andcreate new super-group, group, or sub-group, as required by subjectserver.

Preferably, database registry 108 provides group classification withcorresponding context mapping or topic relevance matching, therebyenabling directed matching for adaptive messages 86. Although suchcontext mapping may be applied in case-specific manner, wherein specificrules or requirements for defining groups or clients having certainspecified or sensed attributes are designated to receive targetedmessage broadcast, preferably, such context mapping may be achievedusing less precise qualification scheme, such as fuzzy or statisticallogical or topical association to generate list of possible candidatesfor targeted messaging. Upon completion of such context mapping, groupregistry 108 is updated. Additionally, context mapping scheme may beadapted to focus target candidates or reduce such directed client listfor more precise marketing effect, preferably in response to real-timespecified or sensed group or client attributes.

FIG. 7 flow chart shows directed offering transaction operation 90,wherein subject server 2 (or alternate network processor) generatesand/or sources one or more directed or targeted message, which mayinclude commercial, promotional, or marketing symbol, audio, text, stillimage, video, or other media content or signal for context-mapped orother designated clients within specified grouping(s). In particular,such directed messages may be downloaded from module 102, or othernetwork source, and transmitted 92 through network 4 to designatedclient sites according to database 100 user client and groupingconfigurations and network connections specified in module 104,whereupon database 100 traffic operations module 106 is appropriatelyupdated or reconfigured to reflect completed messaging.

Optionally, such directed messaging may be invoked by subject server 2in response to one or more network searches or queries 92, for example,from other authorized server or client, or network search agent softwareapplication or process thereof, accessing group registry module 108search interface to locate or identify one or more target groupings orclients therein, which qualify under certain specified or sensedattributes. Directed transactional messages 70 may be sent to targetedgrouping(s), as well as client members therein, for prompt networkdownload and display 70.

Furthermore, in auction style or similar bidding procedure, one or moresuch searching or querying network nodes or sources, or client membersin particular grouping, may be designated or qualified to participate inon-line bidding or auction transaction, whereby highest price or otherparameter bidder is provided specified merit rights or transaction.

In addition, when one or more such searching or querying network node orsources, or client members in particular grouping, is so designated orqualified, customized commercial terms, for example, for transactingso-called micro-sale or comparable limited per-use service billing 96may be charged to such on-line customer according to actual networkdistribution or execution of transacted application service. In suchmicro-sale transaction, subject server 2 may prioritize access ordirected messaging resources to targeted clients to achieve groupbalancing, whereby network computing performance, database resourceaccess, and/or application or other service delivery are optimized.

Foregoing described embodiments of the invention are provided asillustrations and descriptions. They are not intended to limit theinvention to precise form described. In particular, Applicantscontemplate that functional implementation of invention described hereinmay be implemented equivalently in hardware, software, firmware, and/orother available functional components or building blocks. Othervariations and embodiments are possible in light of above teachings, andit is thus intended that the scope of invention not be limited by thisDetailed Description, but rather by Claims following.

1. Micro-sale transaction method for sensor-based interactive digitaltelevision (IDTV) system comprising step: transacting electronically oneor more micro-sale with an IDTV user in response to the user search orquery; wherein the user IDTV comprises a bio- orelectro/mechanical-sensor for providing user response to an IDTV groupanalysis overlay.
 2. Sensor-based interactive digital television (IDTV)for micro-sale transaction comprising: an IDTV; and a bio- orelectro/mechanical-sensor coupled to the IDTV to enable an IDTV user totransact electronically via a micro-sale transaction according to usersearch, query or sensor response to or with an IDTV group analysisoverlay.